Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to missing records and the need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or current disability. The Veteran's left ankle disability was also denied as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder is service connected as lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, which has been attributed to his current diagnosis and in-service treatment for back pain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service or any other factor.

The Board has denied reopening the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sleep apnea is denied, and the earlier effective date claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, evaluations for knee and cervical spine disabilities, and initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches due to insufficient rationale in the September 2016 DBQ. The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for a VA medical opinion clarifying its etiology.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection, and his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The sleep apnea was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding medical records from VA or private providers and update their treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a heart condition claimed as tachycardia are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, but denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to a stressor in service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. The case is remanded for further development regarding employment.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and PTSD are denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he failed to complete and return the VA Form 21-8940, which is required to substantiate his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no relationship between his current sleep apnea disorder and service or his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. The weight of the evidence demonstrated that symptoms of sleep apnea did not manifest until after service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU has been dismissed. The Board is remanding the cases to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is secondary to his Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to missing records and unclear dates of service.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and left testicular torsion are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also being remanded.